The Sunday Times TV - Kid Reporters

You have all heard about Sigiriya and perhaps you have visited it. It is a small village ten miles off Dambulla in the district of Matale. Visitors go there nearly everyday to climb its huge rock of ancient fame and see the beautiful paintings on a part of its walls as well as the interesting ruins found there. This rock is very steep and is about 600 feet in height. It was once the 'Fortress' of the king of Ceylon who built a city around it and ruled from there for 18 years. Here is the story of this king.

About 15 centuries ago, Dhatusena, builder of the Kalawewa Tank, ruled at Anuradhapura. He had two sons, Kashyapa and Moggallana, and a daughter. Kashyapa was, however not born of the queen. His mother was a woman of low birth, and Kashyapa therefore had no claim to the throne. Moggallana, on the other hand, was born of the royal queen and was the rightful heir. The king's daughter married the Senpathi but her mother-in-law was a cruel woman and she ill-treated her.

When the king heard of this he flew into such a violent rage that he burnt the mother-in-law alive! Angered by this wicked deed, the Senapathi now looked out for a way of taking revenge on the king. Knowing that Kashyapa was displeased with his father, because his low birth prevented him from becoming King after this, the Senapathi urged his to rebel against the king. Kashyapa readily agreed.

He captured his father with the Senapathi's support and is said to have stood him up against a wall and buried him alive by plastering him over the clay! He tried to seize his brother, Moggallana too and do away with him because he feared that someday Moggallana would make a bid for the throne. But Moggallana was too quick for him. He escaped to India.

Kashyapa now placed himself on the throne and ruled at Anuradhapura. His Subjects, however, were displeased with him over the foul murder of his father, and then lived in constant fear of a rebellion. He also feared that his brother, with an army from India, would invade Ceylon at any moment. So he moved his capital to Sigiriya where, on the top of the rock, he built himself a large and beautiful palace. He built a wonderful staircase leading to it through the mouth of a huge lion carved out of stone.

He named the rock Sinha-giri or Sigiri, which means 'Lion Rock.' Around this, he built a moat to protect himself again enemies. On a side of the royal palace, he had a large pond made. Several watch-towers, built on the summit of the rock, over looked the surrounding country.

Kashyapa reigned from his rock fortress for 18 years until Moggallana came with a powerful army to wage war on him.

Instead of waiting for him in his fortress , he came down the rock and bravely rode forth to meet his brother. On the way he came across a muddy place and he turned his elephant back to go along another way.

His men, however, thought that he was turning aside to avoid a bottle and so they fled, leaving him all alone. Feeling ashamed to fall into the hands of his brother, Kashyapa killed himself by cutting his head, using his own sword. This place called Sigiriya has a very long history, and we must protect it.